INFORMATION BULLETIN
NO: B-L4 110513 2
FIREFIGHTERS EMERGENCY OPERATIONS (FEO) REQUIREMENTS
Date of Issue: May 13, 2011
Attention: Building Owners, Property Managers, Elevator Consultants, and Licensed
Elevating Contractors
Recent changes to Provincial regulations adopted the CAN/CSA B44-2007 Safety Code for
Elevators and Escalators (the “Elevator Code”). Specifically the Elevator Code clause 2.27.3
Firefighters’ Emergency Operation: Automatic Elevators requires FEO on:
 New Elevators
 Existing Electric Elevators where a Controller is installed as part of an alteration and;
 Existing Hydraulic Elevators where a change on the Type of Motion Control, Type of
Operation Control or Emergency Operation as part of an alteration.
A Risk Reduction Working Group consisting of BCSA Safety Officers, Electrical Engineer / Fire
Alarm Designer, City of Vancouver building official / representative, Fire Chief, Elevator
Manufacturer representative, Building Code Consultant/Engineer, Fire Alarm
Company/Manufacturer, Provincial Building & Safety Standards Branch representative, and a
Elevator Consultant/Engineer was formed to review the differences in requirements between the
Elevator Code and the British Columbia Building Code (BCBC) in particular where FEO is not
required in the BCBC.
Committee recommendations will be presented to the Provincial Elevating Devices Safety
Manager and a guideline will be issued accordingly. In the interim, the following table could be
used to show the action required where applicable:
Building Status
Meets B44-07 Code
Action Required
New
Is Building Fire
System
Provided?
Yes
Yes
Connect & Operate
New
Not Required
No
Provide Fire System or Dedicated
elevator fire detection and recall System
Existing
Yes
Yes
Connect & Operate
Existing
Yes
No
Update Fire System or Provide Dedicated
elevator Fire detection and recall System
Existing
No
No
Provide Fire System or Dedicated
elevator Fire detection and recall System
BULLETIN NO: B-L4 110513 2
Page 1 of 2
505 SIXTH STREET, SUITE 200, NEW WESTMINSTER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA V3L 0E1
Toll Free: 1-866-566-7233 Fax: 778-396-2064 Web Site: www.safetyauthority.ca E-mail: info@safetyauthority.ca
FRM-1127-03 (20111-04-06)
As per code requirement 2.27.3.1.4 only the “FIRE RECALL” switch(es), or fire alarm initiating
device located in the lobby at floors that are served by the elevator, or in the hoistway, or in an
elevator machine room, in a control space, or in a control room (see 2.27.3.2) shall initiate
Phase I Emergency Recall Operation.
Fire alarm initiating devices are referred to as fire detectors in the NBCC. Pull stations will not
be allowed to initiate fire recall as they are not considered fire alarm initiation devices.
This arrangement is not applicable where FEO is required by the BCBC.
As for the pit drain, requirement 2.2.2.5, the BCSA will consider a variance for existing buildings.
Janice Lee, P.Eng.
Provincial Safety Manager – Elevating Devices
References:
B.C. Reg. 101/2004 Elevating Devices Safety Regulation
CSA B44-07 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
For more information on the British Columbia Safety Authority, please visit our web site at:
www.safetyauthority.ca
BULLETIN NO: B-L4 110513 2
Page 2 of 2
505 SIXTH STREET, SUITE 200, NEW WESTMINSTER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA V3L 0E1
Toll Free: 1-866-566-7233 Fax: 778-396-2064 Web Site: www.safetyauthority.ca E-mail: info@safetyauthority.ca
FRM-1127-03 (20111-04-06)